Year-4 BA (Hons) in Social Work Students Share Insights on Learning and Collaboration

On 10 January 2025, the Excellent Teachers on Teaching Excellence (ETTE) Symposium, one of PolyU’s flagship teaching and learning events, captivated audiences with its theme: “Strategic Planning in Higher Education: Learning and Teaching Perspectives.”   Two student speakers were Miss Audrey Tsz Kiu AU and Miss Chinny Ching Yi SIN, both year-4 BA (Hons) in Social Work students from APSS. Audrey emphasised the importance of resilience and adaptability in learning, noting how applied learning and interdisciplinary collaborations can be used to enhance her ability to address community needs effectively.   Chinny shared how PolyU’s transdisciplinary education and practical opportunities, such as integrated projects and fieldwork placements, prepared her for real-world challenges. Reflecting on her placement experience, she shared how she worked with her service users to navigate complex and ill-defined personal and social problems by using knowledge and skills learnt in the classroom. Both students underscored the significance of hands-on opportunities and experiential learning at PolyU in fostering personal growth and professional competence.   APSS, as always, is proud of the student active participation and encourages students to keep reviewing, analysing and evaluating their personal and professional experience!

Shared Commitment to Children’s Rights and Protection Across the Globe

On 11 January 2025, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), in collaboration with the Department of Children and Youth (Thailand), the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), The Social Work Professions Council of Thailand, the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), and the ASEAN Training Centre for Social Work and Social Welfare (ATCSW), hosted a seminar on migration, family strengthening and alternative care for children at the MSDHS headquarters in Thailand. This landmark event marked the first initiative following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between PolyU and The Social Work Professions Council of Thailand. The partnership aims to enhance the professional development of social workers and child protection practitioners in Thailand. Participants, who are policy-makers, senior social workers and child protection professionals, took part in the exchange of ideas and benefitted from insights shared by esteemed international experts. Prof. Antoinette LOMBARD, Professor of Social Work at the University of Pretoria and the President of IASSW, discussed the needs and challenges of refugees and their children in South Africa. Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology and Head of APSS, delivered a presentation on “Alternative Care for Children,” highlighting innovative approaches to child protection in the context of Hong Kong.  The conference concluded with remarks from Ms Apinya CHOMPHUMATH, Director General of the Department of Children and Youth, MSDHS, who expressed her gratitude to the participants for recognising the contribution of social workers in child protection.  This collaborative reflects the shared commitment between PolyU and global organisations to improve child protection systems and foster regional knowledge exchange.

Happy Retirement 2025

We would like to announce the retirement of Mr Sik Chung YEUNG (Chung sir), Lecturer of APSS, Mr Yim Shek HO (Shek Gor), Clerical Officer of APSS and Ms Fanny CHENG, Executive Officer of APSS, who have all dedicated decades of service to our department. Their unwavering commitment and contributions have been invaluable, and they will be greatly missed. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them for their contributions to APSS and PolyU.  Wishing them all the very best in their new ventures! 

Success Achieved at the 2nd International Conference on ASEAN Social Work and Social Development

The 2nd International Conference of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Social Work and Social Development, themed "Social Work Horizons: Charting the Path with Research and Practice," was successfully convened in Bangkok between 9 and 10 January 2025, attracting over 210 participants from across the ASEAN region. This conference served as a vital platform for exchanging innovative ideas and fostering collaboration on pressing issues such as sustainability, poverty alleviation, elderly care, and youth empowerment. A keynote speech by Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology and Head of APSS, entitled "Safeguarding Vulnerable Children in Hong Kong: The Role of Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting & Innovative Practices in Small Group Homes" emphasised the ongoing need to promote child protection initiatives. The conference began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Durham University, setting the tone for collaboration. It culminated with a separate agreement with The Social Work Professions Council of Thailand, further solidifying partnerships among institutions to enhance collaboration in social work research, training, and practice, and fostering a more integrated approach to addressing social issues in the region. Prof. Ben KU, Director of the China and Global Development Network and Professor at APSS, delivered the closing remarks and emphasised the theme of solidarity and mutual support within ASEAN social work, highlighting the importance of cultivating a culture of love, collaboration, and care. He expressed a vision for ASEAN social work to shine brightly, offering light and hope to the world amidst challenges. Organisers, including the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, ASEAN Training Centre on Social Work and Social Welfare, and Social Work Professions Council of Thailand and Faculty of Political Science of Chulalongkorn University expressed their appreciation for the contributions of participants and speakers, which contributed to the event's success. Participants left inspired and equipped with new knowledge and connections to drive impactful change in their communities. Online Coverage: News on Royal Thai Government website: https://www.thaigov.go.th/news/contents/details/92207 News on The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security website: https://www.m-society.go.th/news_view.php?nid=41581 News on Social Work Professions Council of Thailand website:  (Conference) https://swpc.or.th/news_detail.php?id=6821 (MoU) https://swpc.or.th/news_detail.php?id=6822 (Child protection workshop) https://swpc.or.th/news_detail.php?id=6823   Thailand Local News: https://pimthaionline.com/?p=105595 https://www.thailandplus.tv/archives/892443  

MoU Signing Ceremony between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Durham University

APSS proudly announces our new partnership with Durham University’s Department of Sociology. This collaboration aims to enhance the field of applied social sciences through shared research initiatives and community engagement. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology and Head of APSS at PolyU, and Prof. Geetanjali GANGOLI, Head of the Department of Sociology at Durham University. With a significant gathering of social workers, academics, and policymakers, the ceremony took place during the 2nd International Conference of the ASEAN Social Work and Social Development 2025 “Social Work Horizons: Charting the Path with Research and Practice” in Bangkok. This event underscores our global commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in social sciences.

Winter Institute 2024: APSS Partners with Global Universities for Cross-Cultural Social Work Programme

The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at The University of Chicago (UoC) and the Department of Sociology at Peking University (PKU), successfully held the Winter Institute 2024. From 9 to 21 December 2024, the programme took place in Hong Kong and Hanoi, Vietnam, hosting 24 postgraduate students and four faculty members from the participating institutions, including Prof. Ben Hok Bun KU (Director of the China and Global Development Network and Professor of APSS), Dr Qiaobing WU (Associate Head and Associate Professor of APSS), Prof. Robert CHASKIN (McCormick Foundation Professor and Faculty Director at the University of Chicago), and Prof. Yuegen XIONG (Professor of Sociology and Director of the Centre for Social Policy Research at PKU).   The two-week programme at PolyU, Dr WU, Dr Grace SEO (Associate Professor of APSS), Dr Vincent CHENG (Assistant Professor of APSS), and Mr Vincent YEUNG (Lecturer of APSS), featuring lectures on topics such as cross-border migration, children’s well-being, and poverty. To enhance learning, the programme featured debriefings, discussions, community walks, and field visits. Students also visited the Trapped Experience Center and engaged with refugees. While in Vietnam, they explored social protection services and supported women in the coffee industry.   The Winter Institute concluded with presentations comparing social issues across the U.S., Mainland China, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, emphasising diverse approaches to poverty and inequality.

APSS and Goldsmiths Strengthen Ties with MoU Signing Ceremony

The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) and Goldsmiths, University of London (Goldsmiths), held a significant MoU signing ceremony on 18 December 2024 to foster collaboration in social work education and research. On the same day, Dr Kong YAM, Senior Lecturer of APSS, was invited to speak at the Goldsmiths Teaching Partner Forum - Global Dialogue on Children’s Social Welfare: A Hong Kong – UK Exchange.   Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor and Head of APSS, delivered a talk topic: “Leveraging Innovations in Education and Teaching for Nurturing Competent and Humanistic Social Workers for Tomorrow” to Goldsmith’s students on the following day of the visit. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thank you to our APSS alumna, Dr Carmen YAU, Lecturer in Social Work, Placement Coordinator, and Lead of the Wellbeing Research Unit at Goldsmiths, for supporting the visit in Goldsmiths.   Online coverage: https://www.gold.ac.uk/news/hong-kong-polyu-mou/  

APSS-led Smart Campus Innovation Project Takes Both Gold Award and Global Education Award at QS Reimagine Awards 2024

PolyU's "Engage, Empower, Excel: Smart Campus Innovation", an interdisciplinary team led by Dr Rodney CHU, Senior Lecturer of APSS, achieved significant success at the QS Reimagine Education Awards and Conference 2024 in London. His team not only won the Gold Smart Omnichannel Campus Category Award, but also secured the prestigious Global Education Award – the ultimate recognition that celebrates the “champion of champions”. The winning team led by Dr CHU consists of experts from various departments: Dr Hilda CHEUNG, Lecturer of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE), Dr Jeffrey HO, Associate Professor of School of Design (SD), Dr Pauli LAI, Lecturer of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), Dr Kai-pan MARK, Senior Educational Development Manager of Educational Development Centre (EDC), along with Mr Charles WOO (Project Fellow) and Miss Kathy LAM (Project Assistant), APSS CAVE-cum-Studio Device members. Of 1,300 global submissions to QS Reimagine Awards in 2024, 155 projects were shortlisted, making PolyU's dual achievement—especially the prestigious Global Education Award—an exceptional milestone in education innovation. As the only local institution in Hong Kong to receive a gold award this year, PolyU has made a significant impact, marking a notable moment in this event. Congratulations to Rodney and his team for their great achievement at QS Reimagine Awards 2024.  As always, colleagues at APSS are all committed to providing students with innovative quality teaching at all levels. Online coverage: https://polyu.me/4fzxkrp More details about the project are available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ne1jvUhf-8 Press release: English - https://polyu.me/49YNiuc; Chinese - https://polyu.me/3DvYIcp   Online coverage: Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/4gWqIVj;  https://polyu.me/4fYWpwi Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/4fzxkrp;  https://polyu.me/42hwgFE Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3BPV0tL HK01 - https://polyu.me/4akMmjO      

Enhancing Capacity Building for Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Educators in the Mainland

Prof. Ben Hok-bun KU, Professor of APSS and Director of the China and Global Development Network (CGDN) at PolyU, has successfully secured a donation of HK$ 4,218,150 from the Keswick Foundation to conduct practice research in the Mainland. The details of the project are: PI: Prof. Ben Hok-bun KU Co-PIs:  Prof. Juan CHEN (Professor of APSS, Associate Head, Associate Director of MHRC); Dr Siu Wai LIT (Principal Clinical Associate of APSS); Dr Sui-kan YIP (Assistant Director (Partnership and Development) of CGDN. Project title: Capacity Building for Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Educators in the Chinese Mainland: A Practice Research on Building China DSW Education Funding amount: $4,218,150 Funding scheme: Keswick Foundation Limited (Donation) Project period: 1 January 2025 - 31 December 2027 Project summary: This project aims to help the China DSW programme meet global standards, construct China’s DSW education system, and evaluate the pathway of building China DSW education.   Congratulations to Prof. KU!  Our heartfelt thanks go to the Keswick Foundation for the continued support to the advancement of social work education and research in the Mainland!

Forging Knowledge Exchange and Research Partnership in the Field of Social Sciences: MoU Signing between Shangdong University and PolyU

On 4 December 2024, the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) of PolyU and School of Philosophy and Social Development of Shandong University (SDU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic partnerships in the field of social sciences between the two institutions. The MoU was signed by Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology and Head of APSS at PolyU, and Mr Xifeng XU, Minister, Officer for the Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, and Director of the International Chinese Language Education at SDU. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, and Prof. Shucai LI, President of SDU, witnessed the signing.  Online coverage: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/H-fmmkZikZHwMtFGfReNWg